(Fort Washington, PA, Thursday, November 8, 2018) – November is American Diabetes Month, and a good time to sort fact from fiction regarding this serious disease.

Here are three common diabetes myths — debunked:

• Myth #1: I’m a healthy weight — I can’t get diabetes.
• Fact: Although there’s a clear connection between being overweight or obese and developing type 2 diabetes, genetics and other lifestyle factors can also play a role. Prediabetes can sometimes be an early-stage development of type 2 diabetes.
• Myth #2: People develop diabetes because they eat too much sugar.
• Fact: Although consuming excess calories can contribute to being overweight, which is associated with type 2 diabetes, sugar is not the singular cause of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is the result of genetics and additional unknown factors and type 2 diabetes is the result of a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors.
• Myth #3: If I have diabetes, I can’t have carbs or dessert.
• Fact: Generally speaking, individuals with diabetes can follow the same healthy diet recommended for the general public and can even enjoy sweet treats in small portions on special occasions. Carbs are a necessary part of a healthy meal plan. Just pay attention to portions.

The CDC says Americans drink 25 percent less soda than they did in the late 1990s, and the overall number of calories consumed by both children and adults have declined as well. Americans are marginally more active than they were at the turn of the century, and as a result the rate of obesity has started to level off. Obesity is a major risk factor in the development of type 2, or adult onset, diabetes.

More health and wellness tips can be found at leaf.nutrisystem.com.